Tom Powers: Todd Richards intends to bring Wild up to speed

There's that word again: "Entertaining." It keeps popping up in relation to 2009-10 Wild hockey.

[Wild 4Ever]

Speaking of offense and up-tempo, there is a story on the wire today that Dany Heatley wants to be traded out of Ottawa. From ESPN:

"Heatley, 28, has four seasons remaining on a six-year,$45 million contract that he signed in 2007. He might be difficult to move as he'll cost $7.5 million against a team's salary cap next season."

"Heatley had 39 goals and 33 assists for Ottawa last season. He has scored 50 goals in a season twice in his career."

Same age as Gaborik, much more durable, and probably costs the same. Go get him!

[T-Bone]

Great article. The Wild really are starting from scratch but I am so glad greedy Naegle and Risebrough (Sean Hill, Chris Simon, etc.) are gone. I agree with going after Heatley. Players like that are inspirational for the younger guys. Heatley, Sheppard and Gabby would be the 1st real line the Wild have ever had.

[Chris]

Damn Wild 4Ever you beat me to it. I was just about to say the same thing. But I agree with you 100%. If we were willing to give Gaborik the exact same amount why not get Heatley??? He is a proven scorer and way more durable. I dont know about all the other Wild fans but I would like to see a consistent scorer on the ice for once. C'mon Fletcher make this happen

[Chris]

I agree with trying to get Heatley instead of Gabby. There is no doubt that Gabby produces when he's on the ice and healthy, and it would definitely be the ending of an era if we lose Gabby, the only player who has been with the Wild continuously since we became a team, and Lemaire. But the fact is that since being a Wild player Gabby has missed 82 games due to injury, 2 games shy of a season. I'm pretty sure my Grandma with osteoporosis has stronger hips that Gabby. We need a more durable forward who can produce just as well, if not better, than Gabby and Heatley looks like a very solid choice. One more thing, this article said something about Richards wanting to play a more aggressive, up-tempo style in order to make the game more exciting and to sell tickets. If that were true we wouldn't have sold out every game since 2000. Pull your head out of your ass. WE ARE THE REAL HOCKEYTOWN!!!!!

[Wild One]

T-Bone wrote:

Great article. The Wild really are starting from scratch but I am so glad greedy Naegle and Risebrough (Sean Hill, Chris Simon, etc.) are gone. I agree with going after Heatley. Players like that are inspirational for the younger guys. Heatley, Sheppard and Gabby would be the 1st real line the Wild have ever had.

I liked everything up until I read Sheppard-are you crazy?!?!?! He is terrible other than very rare flashes of brilliance.